The head of NASA is so unhappy with SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk smoking marijuana and drinking whiskey during a podcast that he warned him it could jeopardize the company's billion-dollar business dealings with the government.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told The Atlantic Musk's recent behavior was out of line for a government contractor that's working to send Americans into space.
"I will tell you that was not helpful, and that did not inspire confidence, and the leaders of these organizations need to take that as an example of what to do when you lead an organization that's going to launch American astronauts," Bridenstine said.
In September, Musk smoked marijuana and sipped on whiskey during a live YouTube podcast. That drew the ire of NASA, which launched a safety review of SpaceX and Boeing — the other company partnering with NASA to launch the next-generation manned spacecraft — to ensure that both are following proper safety protocol and setting examples at the top.
Bridenstine said he needs 100 percent commitment to safety from companies with which NASA does business. He told The Atlantic that Musk is on board.
"We've had a number of conversations," Bridenstine said. "I will tell you, he is as committed to safety as anybody, and he understands that that was not appropriate behavior, and you won't be seeing that again."
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